Germany's AERO Business Charter (ABC) has ordered a Citation XLS and CJ3. The order, which was signed on December 23, 2005, follows orders for a CJ2+ and two CJ3s in November.

Said flight operations director Peter Becker: "The investment of approximately US$37 million in new jets will satisfy the needs and expectations of our present clients.

"In addition, the state-of-the-art equipment with modern electronics, telephone, Airshow and DVD players provide an incentive for potential new customers to choose one of the company's aircraft."

The decision to acquire the jets came hot on the heels of the company's conversion from operating turboprops to jet aircraft. Flight operations director Peter Becker states that ABC has enjoyed a 40 per cent increase in total flight time since it began operating a CJ1, with sales lifting by more than 70 per cent.

The Egelsbach-based CJ1 logged 430 hours in its first six months.